G-1 — Miscellaneous Visa (G-1)

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

6-24 months

Estimated Cost

KRW ₩60,000

Stay Duration

Up to 1 year per extension (Renewable)

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

Humanitarian visa for asylum seekers, medical patients, trafficking victims, and those in special circumstances not covered by standard Korean visa categories.

The G-1 Miscellaneous Visa is South Korea's humanitarian catch-all permit for individuals who don't fit standard visa categories but face exceptional circumstances requiring legal stay. It serves asylum seekers, medical patients, human trafficking victims, and those involved in Korean legal proceedings. Each case is evaluated individually based on documented humanitarian or special need.

The visa costs KRW 60,000 and may be renewed annually for up to one year at a time. Processing varies significantly by case type, particularly refugee reviews which take 6–24 months. Work authorization requires separate permission outside the visa status, and spouses cannot work. There is no pathway to permanent residency.

This visa is ideal for individuals facing genuine humanitarian crises—such as medical patients requiring long-term treatment unavailable in their home country or refugees—who can provide rigorous documentation of their circumstances.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must fall into a specific humanitarian or special category (e.g., refugee applicant, medical treatment, legal dispute, or victim of human trafficking).

Must provide evidence of the specific humanitarian or special circumstance.

Must demonstrate financial stability or ability to cover costs associated with the specific reason for stay (e.g., medical expenses).

Must have a valid passport.

Must not have violated Korean immigration laws or have a history of illegal stay (depending on the specific sub-category).

For medical cases, must provide a detailed treatment plan from a recognized Korean medical facility.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Completed visa application form

Passport-sized photograph

Proof of humanitarian or special circumstances (e.g., medical certificate, refugee application receipt, or legal documents)

Proof of financial ability to cover stay and treatment/legal costs

Proof of residence (e.g., lease agreement or housing confirmation)

Additional documents as required by the specific G-1 sub-category

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Renewable annually for up to 1 year per extension — no statutory cap on total duration
No job offer required — humanitarian grounds alone may qualify applicants
Covers diverse special circumstances including medical treatment, asylum, and legal disputes
Flexible qualification — catch-all category for exceptional cases not covered by standard visas
Case-by-case review allows individual circumstances to be considered fairly

Worth Knowing

Spouse cannot work — dependent family members require separate visa arrangements
Restricted work authorization — requires separate 'Permission to Engage in Activities Outside of Status'
Processing timeline highly variable (6-24 months for refugee cases) — plan accordingly
Rigorous documentation required — must substantiate humanitarian or special need with evidence
Not a path to permanent residency or citizenship — temporary measure only
Must fall into recognized humanitarian/special category (refugee, medical, legal, trafficking victim)